Last week I committed to adding side leg raises into my day in order to help strengthen my legs and hips and prevent the pain I was beginning to feel every time I went for a walk.  I thought it was just me making excuses to not exercise.  But even those simple and easy moves hurt.  Then I figured it out.  I wasn't 'not exercising' because of excuses, I was not exercising because there was something wrong.  There was a bigger problem.  It turns out that my hip was out of alignment.  After two trips to the chiropractor, my hip is back in place though NOW I really do have to strengthen those muscles to prevent further problems.

Too many times I've blamed myself and thought I was just making excuses for not making better choices.  Not exercising because I was too tired; eating sugar and high fat foods because I was tired; eating too much food because I was stressed.  Sure sometimes they were just excuses but other times when I finally got an underlying health issue cleared up, miraculously, I had the energy and determination to make those better decisions. 

So this week, I'm focusing on making appointments to see all my health care professionals over the next couple of months.  It's been awhile since I've done my annual checkup.  It's time to go back to the eye doctor. I also need to get my flu shot.  Have you had your flu shot this year?  For flu shot locations in Hawaii click here. 

And if you're not sure what you might need, here are some screening tests that are recommended for women and men at different ages.